How to Water-Ski Barefoot Using the Saucer Start

Stepping off a saucer inside the wake is the easiest way to start skiing barefoot.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Safety Flags
• 100-ft. Water Ski Ropes
• Life Vests
• Ski Boats
• Water Ski Saucers
• Water Skis

1. Get up riding on a saucer with your rear end down and your toes extending slightly over the forward edge. Lean back to keep the front of the saucer from catching in the water. The boat is driving 14 to 18 miles per hour, depending on the weight of the person on the saucer.

2. Use a 100-foot standard ski rope to keep you well behind the boat's turbulence.

3. Remain inside the wake.

4. Signal the driver to accelerate to your appropriate barefoot speed (34 mph for average-sized feet, 36 mph for smaller feet).

5. Slide your feet over the front of the saucer and dig your heels into the water. Keep your toes curled up.

6. Stand up in position like you are sitting in a chair. Your arms are slightly bent and you are leaning back hard against the pull of the boat.

7. Straighten your arms and back to improve your skiing form.

8. Release the rope and sit back into the water when you are done.

Tips & Warnings

• You should attempt barefoot skiing only after you are very familiar with the skills and techniques of slalom skiing and would consider yourself an advanced skier.
• Waterski barefoot behind a boat that can tow a slalom skier 36 mph or faster, with a very experienced driver and observer.
• Learn to barefoot ski in calm water.
• Expect to take some good spills as your learn to barefoot ski. Sit back into falls whenever possible, but when you fall forward (and you will), curl yourself into a ball and close your eyes.
• Always wear a life vest.
• Waterskiing is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

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on 11/22/2005 I use this same technique, but start by sitting on a kneeboard. I ski behind a turbulent boat so I tend to start just outside of the wake. My cousin does the same thing, but he starts by sitting in a tube.